Student - Parent Handbook - George Stevens Academy

George Stevens Academy
Student - Parent Handbook
2012 - 2013

George Stevens Academy
is an independent high school located on the coast of Maine.
Grounded in its traditions and commitment to the area’s small
towns, the Academy is a caring educational community invested
in meeting the needs of each student. The Academy offers a challenging,
comprehensive program of studies that fosters intellectual
inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge, inspires creativity,
develops self-reliance, and prepares its graduates for a purposeful
life in an ever-changing world.
Mission, approved by the Board of Trustees in 2007
“George Stevens Academy has accomplished what many schools
dream of—authentic community that unites all members sincerely
in a single purpose: student success.”
New England Association of Schools & Colleges report, April 2011
George Stevens Academy is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC).
The Academy is also a member of the Maine Department of Educational and Cultural Services.
This Handbook is not a contract. The statements and policies herein are subject to change.
This Handbook, including any revisions or updates, is available on the school’s website at georgestevensacademy.org.
© 2012 George Stevens Academy

Table of Contents
Manifesto for Student Success
inside cover
Administration 5
Contact Information 5
Who Do I Contact For... 6
Academic Policies & Information 7
General Information 17
Campus Conduct 22
Athletics: Policies & Expectations 28
Dormitory Policies (all students) 32
Index 35

Administration
Head of School
Paul B. Perkinson
Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Gail Strehan
Assistant Head of School
Buzz Moore
Director of Development
Rada Starkey
Business Manager
Fred Heilner
Director of Admissions
Libby Irwin
Dean of Students
Libby Rosemeier
Director of College & Vocational Counseling
Martha Garfield
Registrar and Assistant to Student Services
Director of Annual Giving
Trudy Bell
Director of Publications & Communications
Liffey Thorpe
Special Education
Shelley Small
Attendance and Main Office
Debbie Davis
Associate in Development & Communications
Maggie Overton
Dean of International Relations
Polly Monroe
Director of Residential Life
Kathy Pelletier
Director of Food Services
Athletic Director
Jim Murphy
Nurse
Lisa Theoharidis
Technology
Larry Gray
Director of Maintenance
Bill Gray
Contact
Information
Telephone & Fax
The school’s telephone number is (207) 374-2808
(Main Office). Your call can be directed to an extension
or to a voice mailbox. The school fax number is
(207) 374-2982.
Email
Email addresses for GSA staff follow this pattern:
firstname initial, dot, full last name, @georgestevens.info—for
example, . If you experience trouble contacting someone
by email, please check the department page on
GSA’s website, or call the Main Office.
Friday eBulletin
We email a news bulletin most Fridays during the
school year. You will automatically receive the
eBulletin if you have given us your email address
on the Emergency Contact form. If you do not wish
to receive the eBulletin, or if you are not receiving
it and wish to, please contact Liffey Thorpe at
.
PowerSchool
Parents and guardians have access to their child’s
grades through PowerSchool. There is a link to
PowerSchool on the home page of GSA’s website. If
you need to sign up to use PowerSchool, or if you
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 5

are experiencing difficulties using PowerSchool, contact
Larry Gray.
GSA’s Website
Our website is increasingly a resource for all kinds of
information and announcements. Handbooks, mailings
from Student Services, forms, and bell schedules are all
posted on the website, as are athletics calendars and
scores. Many teachers link to their own “wikis” from
department pages to post class information, assignments,
and useful internet links for classes.
No Internet Access?
We recognize that some families do not have internet
access. Please contact the Main Office to have midterm
reports and other electronic information mailed to
your home.
Who Do I Contact For...
Admissions
For local, domestic boarding, or international student
admissions, enrollment, and course registration, contact
Libby Irwin, Director of Admissions.
Attendance
If your child must miss school due to illness or other
reasons, or needs to be dismissed early, please call
Debbie Davis, Attendance Officer, in the Main Office
(374-2808). For attendance questions, including unexcused
absences and attendance-related detention,
contact Buzz Moore, Assistant Head of School.
Athletics
For questions about your child’s athletic program,
contact the team coach, either by email or by phone, or
contact Jim Murphy, Athletic Director.
My Child’s Class
For questions or concerns about a class your child is
enrolled in, including questions about assignments,
grades, or your child’s performance, please contact
your child’s teacher or advisor by email or by telephone.
If you do not feel that you are getting the information
or help you need from a teacher or advisor,
contact Libby Rosemeier, Dean of Students.
Class Schedules
For class schedules or to discuss your child’s academic
schedule, contact Libby Rosemeier, Dean of Students,
or Martha Garfield, Director of College and Vocational
Counseling.
College & Vocational Counseling
For questions about college or vocational counseling,
contact Martha Garfield, Director of College and Vocational
Counseling.
Cooperative & Alternative Education
Contact Libby Rosemeier, Dean of Students.
Discipline
For questions about disciplinary decisions, contact
Buzz Moore, Assistant Head of School.
Facilities Use
To reserve campus space for activties and meetings,
contact Gail Strehan, Executive Assistant to the Head of
School.
Fundraising & Development
For questions about fundraising and how to help the
development effort, contact Rada Starkey, Director of
Development, or Trudy Bell, Director of Annual Giving.
Independent Study
For questions about Independent Study, contact Paul
Perkinson, Head of School.
Infirmary & Medications
For questions or concerns about your child’s physical
or emotional health, contact Lisa Theoharidis, School
Nurse.
The Parent Association
Contact Prudy Heilner, co-facilitator of the Parent Association
(PA).
6 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Residential Life
For questions about host parenting, or about assisting
in the dormitories, contact Kathy Pelletier, Director of
Residential Life.
Special Education
For questions about special education services, IEP’s,
and PET conferences, contact Shelley Small, Special
Education Teacher.
Volunteering
To learn how you can volunteer at GSA, contact Trudy
Bell, Director of Annual Giving, in the Development Office.
Website, Publications & Communications
For questions about the website, publications, or other
communications, contact Liffey Thorpe, Director of
Publications & Communications.
graduation ceremonies is reserved for those students
who have completed all requirements at the time of
graduation, but all members of a class may participate
in Class Night.
Course & Credit Requirements
Most year-long courses at GSA earn one (1) credit.
Semester-long courses earn ½ credit. To receive a GSA
diploma students must earn a minimum number of
credits in the following study areas:
4 English credits (must include Senior English)
3 Mathematics credits (must include Geometry and
two years of Algebra)
3 Science credits (must include one lab science)
3 Social Science credits (must include U.S. History)
1 Physical Education credit
1 Fine Arts credit
½ Health credit
Academic Policies
& Information
A GSA Education
George Stevens Academy is an independent high school
offering exceptional educational experiences to prepare
students for post-graduate choices, whether to
pursue college or other educational programs, or to
enter the workforce directly out of high school. A GSA
diploma meets and exceeds all course requirements
established by the State of Maine.
The GSA Diploma
Students are encouraged to challenge themselves
throughout their GSA career by taking a rigorous
course of study. Faculty advisors and Student Services
help students develop programs of studies that best
serve their individual needs.
George Stevens Academy confers the diploma on students
who have satisfactorily met the requirements described
below at the time of graduation. Participation in
6 ½ elective credits
Total: 22 credits plus demonstrated computer
proficiency.
All students are required to carry a minimum of six
(6) courses each semester. Exceptions are granted on a
case-by-case basis.
Special Course Options
To appear on the GSA transcript, Alternative Course
Contracts, Independent Study courses, online courses,
or courses taken for credit at another institution must
be approved in advance by the Head of School.
With advance approval from the Head of School, GSA
may also award credit for:
¤ ¤ One semester of work at a non-traditional limited purpose private
school approved by the State Department of Education.
¤ ¤ An American Field Service (AFS) experience. Students may
receive two credits (one Social Studies and one World language)
for a full-year program, and one credit for a half-year program. It
is the responsibility of the student to provide academic documentation
for any additional credits.
¤ ¤ Correspondence or online courses as make-up work for failed
courses for a maximum of two credits.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 7

¤ ¤ Correspondence or online courses, whether taken to complete
a requirement, or for enrichment purposes, must be taken as an
Alternative Course Contract.
No course taken outside George Stevens Academy
can be counted for credit toward a GSA diploma if the
content or intent of the course is essentially the same
as another course for which graduation credit has been
received. No credit will be awarded for courses taken
outside GSA until the entire course is completed and an
official transcript has been received by GSA.
Home School Courses
Credits for home schooled applicants are evaluated and
determined on a case by case basis in consultation with
the Dean of Students and the Head of School.
Promotion to Next Grade Level
Ninth graders must earn five (5) credits in the freshman
year to achieve sophomore standing. In addition, a
9th grader must pass courses in English and mathematics
before taking 10th grade classes in these subjects.
Students who fall short of this benchmark must either
repeat the 9th grade course, or take and pass a summer
school or correspondence class to make up the deficit
before the next level course can be taken. (Note: Students
cannot concurrently enroll in English 9 and English
10, or in Algebra I and Geometry.)
Students who do not advance to the next grade level by
successfully earning the required number of credits
retain the privileges that correspond to their earned
credit level. However, they will continue to have their
current advisors. At the end of the first semester, the
student may be a sophomore if a total of seven and onehalf
(7½) credits have been earned.
Tenth graders must have earned a total of ten (10) credits
by the end of their sophomore year in order to be a
junior. In addition, a 10th grader must pass his or her
courses in English and mathematics before he or she
can take 11th grade classes in these subjects.
Students who fall short of this benchmark must either
repeat the 10th grade course, or take and pass a summer
school and/or correspondence class to make up
the deficit before the next level course can be taken.
(Note: Students cannot concurrently enroll in English 9
and English 10, or in Algebra I and Geometry.)
At the end of the first semester, the student may be a junior
if a total of thirteen (13) credits have been earned.
Eleventh graders must have earned a total of fifteen
(15) credits by the end of the junior year in order to be a
senior. At the end of the first semester, the student may
be a senior if a total of eighteen (18) credits have been
earned.
To summarize:
¤ ¤ Sophomore standing requires a minimum of 5 credits
¤ ¤ Junior standing requires a minimum of 10 credits
¤ ¤ Senior standing requires a minimum of 15 credits
All Maine Department of Education mandated testing
will be given based upon year in school rather than
earned credit level.
Transfer & International Students Requirements
A transfer student is a student who has attended another
high school and is seeking admission to GSA for
the first time. A student who has attended GSAin the
past and has taken an approved leave is not a “transfer
student,” but a “returning student.” Returning student
are held to the graduation standards that were in effect
when they left.
Transfer students, regardless of grade level, must earn
4 credits in English, 3 credits in Mathematics, 3 credits
in Social Studies (one of which must be U.S. History),
3 credits in Science, 1 credit in Physical Education, ½
credit in Health, 1 credit in Fine Arts, and must demonstrate
computer proficiency, in order to receive a GSA
diploma.
Transfer students must earn a minimum number of
GSA and transferred credits in order to receive a GSA
diploma. In order to graduate from GSA, a transfer
student who
¤ ¤ enters Grade 9, needs 22 GSA credits to graduate
¤ ¤ enters Grade 10, needs 16 ½ GSA credits and at least 5 transferred
credits
¤ ¤ enters Grade 11, needs 11 GSA credits and at least 10 transferred
credits
¤ ¤ enters Grade 12, needs 5 GSA credits and at least 15 transferred
credits
Requirements for transfer students made during the
school year will be based upon the next year in the
table. A student who enters GSA in the middle of the
senior year will work with Student Services to find the
most appropriate available course schedule to complete
high school.
International students, regardless of grade level, must
take designated English proficiency tests when they
arrive on campus. They must take and pass ½ credit
of ESL or mainstream English for every semester of at-
8 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

tendance up to the standard four-year English requirement,
and they must take Senior English in order to
graduate.AFS students attend GSA as juniors and are
not eligible to graduate.
Accelerated Graduation
George Stevens Academy encourages all students to
take full advantage of our four-year program. However,
we understand that some students may wish to graduate
in fewer than four years. Requests for accelerated
graduation will be granted on an individual basis. The
following protocol applies:
¤ ¤ In the spring of the student’s sophomore year (grade 10), the
student and parent(s) or guardian must notify Student Services
in writing of the wish to complete high school requirements at
the conclusion of the junior year.
¤ ¤ After notifying the school of the request, and before registering
for courses for the junior year, the student and parent or guardian
will have a conference with a committee that includes the
Assistant Head of School, the Dean of Students, the student’s
advisor, and all of the student’s current teachers. This committee
will make a recommendation to the Head of School who will
then decide whether to grant the request.
¤ ¤ If approved for accelerated graduation, the student will receive
a diploma only if all graduation requirements are successfully
completed.
Graduation Honor Parts
To be awarded an honor part for graduation, a student
must have attended GSA for a minimum of two (2) full
semesters. For the purpose of graduation, the parts of
valedictorian and the salutatorian are determined using
weighted grades. All other honor parts are determined
by using unweighted grades.
Grade Point Average & Rank in Class
Grade point average (GPA) and rank in class (RIC) are
determined using George Stevens Academy credits
only. Unweighted GPA is computed by counting equally
all subjects taken at GSA. GPA is computed using the
numerical end-of-course grades. Averages are rounded
to the nearest tenth and ties are retained. GPA and
RIC are officially calculated after the completion of a
student’s 11 th grade year. A student’s final GPA and RIC
will be calculated again at the end of the first semester
of the senior year. We do not rank 9 th and 10 th grade
students.
Weighted Grades
For post-secondary (college) admission purposes, and
for selection of valedictorian and salutatorian, the
calculation of GPA and RIC is based on weighted grades.
Weighted grades are calculated by adding 10% to all
honors and AP course grades. Individual grades are
not weighted on student transcripts, but are reflected
when GPA and RIC are calculated.
Honor Roll
Honor rolls are announced at the end of each quarter.
To be eligible for honor roll inclusion, students must
carry five full credits each term and earn honors
grades in all classes. Honor rolls are published quarterly
in local papers.
High Honors:
Honors:
90 – 100 in all subjects
80 – 100 in all subjects
Grades & Performance Standards
Grades
George Stevens Academy uses numerical grades:
90 – 100 (equivalent of an A)
80 –89 (equivalent of a B)
70 –79 (equivalent of a C)
Below 70 (equivalent of an F / No credit)
Academic Probation
Students who do not make acceptable academic progress
for two consecutive quarters will be placed on academic
probation. Probation means that one’s status as
a student at George Stevens Academy is “on monitor,”
and that, if the failure to make academic progress persists,
the student may be asked to withdraw from GSA.
Academic probation will be determined on the basis of
grades, attendance records, behavioral referrals, and
credits earned by the end of each semester. Probation
will be reviewed at the conclusion of each semester.
Criteria for being placed on academic probation include,
but are not limited, to the following:
¤ ¤ A failing grade in more than one class for the semester.
¤ ¤ More than eight absences in a single quarter.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 9

¤ ¤ Fewer credits than required for grade level, or insufficient
progress toward graduation.
¤ ¤ Ten or more discipline referrals in a single semester, or one or
more major disciplinary incidents or suspensions during the
semester.
¤ ¤ Cheating or plagiarism.
Students on academic probation and their parents or
guardians will be contacted by the Assistant Head
of School to schedule a conference with the student’s
teachers and Student Services. Student Services will
work with each student to create academic support
strategies to help the student become academically successful.
Grades Online
Parents and students may access grades online
through PowerSchool. The aim is to keep families
better informed of their student’s academic progress
and performance, particularly when a student may be
having difficulty in a class, or is neglecting to complete
assignments. Parents can communicate with teachers
as soon as problems appear. (Be aware that grades may
not be updated more than once every two weeks.) Any
questions about individual assignments or assignment
grades should be directed to the class teacher either
by email or a phone call. Questions or concerns about
report card grades should be addressed to Student
Services.
Since a student’s grades can be checked throughout the
year, GSA will no longer routinely mail home mid-quarter
academic notices or progress reports. However, parents
who wish to have a progress report mailed home
may request this by contacting Student Services.
Grades and course information viewed online or printed
off the website are for the convenience of parents
and students, but are not necessarily final and are not official.
Official quarterly report cards will continue to be
mailed home. Official transcripts can only be issued by
the school through Student Services.
Report Cards
Report cards are distributed to students in their advisories,
and mailed home, four times a year, at the end of
each quarter. Parents and students are asked to review
report cards and to speak with their advisor or Student
Services if they have questions.
Incomplete Grades
The deadline for making up any incomplete work is
five school days after the close of the academic quarter.
Students and parents may request an extension of the
incomplete make-up period by obtaining approval from
both the teacher and the Head of School. Prolonged
absence due to sickness, family or personal problems,
death in the family, or illness of a family member may
be reasons for granting an extension. All incomplete
extensions must be approved by the Head of School, using
a form issued by Student Services.
Maine Learning Results (MLR)
The State of Maine assesses juniors on standards in
English and Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science
using the SAT’s and Math/Science Augmentation Assessment.
Extracurricular Eligibility & Ineligibility
Extracurricular activities are those school-recognized
and supported events or activities that fall outside
the scope of graded academic class work. Extracurricular
activities contribute significantly to a student’s
emotional, spiritual, physical, and social growth. We
encourage all students to participate in extracurricular
activities during their GSA career.
Most students successfully balance academic work and
extracurricular commitments. However, students who
do not amaintain satisfactory academic standing will
not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities
that require significant and sustained time commitments
until there is clear evidence of academic improvement.
These activities are jazz band and combo,
drama, and competitive interscholastic activities such
as athletics, Chess team, Math team, and Model U.N.
Activities or events required for an academic class,
such as field trips and band performances, or clubs
such as the Environmental Action Club and the International
Cooking Club, are not subject to ineligibility
criteria, because they meet less frequently. Ineligibility
begins as soon as quarter grades are posted.
The following criteria determine eligibility or ineligibility
for time-intensive extracurriculars:
¤ ¤ A student must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) courses at
GSA or an approved institution in a semester in order to participate
in extracurricular activities.
¤ ¤ A student who fails more than one academic course at the end
of any quarter will be ineligible to participate in time-intensive
extracurricular activities during the entire next quarter the
student attends GSA.
10 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

¤ ¤ A student who fails more that one academic course in the last
(fourth) quarter of the academic year will be ineligible to participate
in extracurricular activities during the next quarter that the
student attends GSA.
¤ ¤ Ineligibility is based on quarter grades, not on semester averages
or year-long grades. Even if a student passes a course for a
semester or for the year, two or more failing quarter grades will
make the student ineligible.
¤ ¤ A student or parent may appeal a case of ineligibility. The appeal
must be made in writing and submitted to the Head of School. If
the administration believes that there is compelling evidence of
extenuating circumstances contributing to the student’s loss of
eligibility, it may submit the appeal to the Board of Trustees for
consideration.
Course Registration
The school administration is responsible for making
sure that students are taking appropriate courses and
making adequate progress towards graduation, and also
that individual classes are not over-enrolled. Student
Services and the student’s advisor must approve all
course registrations and schedule changes. A parent’s
signature is also required for a student who wishes to
drop a core academic class.
Adding & Dropping Classes
The first five academic days of the fall semester is an
open add-drop period. Schedule changes made during
this period will not affect student transcripts. The first
five academic days of the second semester is also an
open add-drop period for one-semester courses.
Withdrawing from a Class
After the open add-drop periods, students may withdraw
from semester courses until the last day of the
first and third quarter, and from year-long courses
until the last day of the second quarter (i.e. the last day
of the first semester).
Students who withdraw from a class after the end of
the open add-drop period will receive a grade of WP
(“withdrew passing”) if the course work to date was
passing, and a WF (“withdrew failing”) for failing
work. These grades will not count toward a student’s
grade point average; however, a WF will be treated as
a failing grade that could affect eligibility for extracurricular
activities.
Notations of WF and WP will not be recorded fortransfers
between sections of equivalent courses, such
as when a student changes from an honors section
of a course to a college prep (CP) section of the same
course.
Schedule changes after these deadlines can be made
only in special cases, and must be approved by the
Head of School.
Once a senior’s grades have been submitted to a college,
Student Services will promptly send the college a
revised transcript reflecting any significant change in
the student’s schedule and grades.
Senior Mid-Year Course Withdrawal
Seniors are expected to remain in full-year courses as
represented on their college applications. A senior who
chooses to drop a full-year course after the 1 st semester
should know the following:
¤ ¤ First semester grades will not be calculated in their GPA and
RIC.
¤ ¤ They will receive no credit for work done in the first semester.
¤ ¤ Mid-year reports sent to colleges will reflect the change as a
“withdrew passing” (WP) or “withdrew failing” (WF).
Alternative Course Contracts (ACC)
An Alternative Course Contract (ACC) provides an opportunity
for a student to take a course not offered in
GSA’s regular curriculum. A student, in consultation
with Student Services and a member of the GSA faculty,
may design the curriculum and write a course proposal
that includes a description of the course, its goals and
objectives, and the amount of credit it will earn. Alternative
course contracts are usually taken in addition to
six academic credits, and must be started no later than
the third week into a semester. Students may earn up
to two (2) ACC credits while at GSA. The Head of School
must approve all Alternative Course Contract requests
in advance.
Honors Courses
Most departments at GSA offer courses designated as
“Honors.” Honors courses challenge students to pursue
a subject more deeply, more intensively, and more
rigorously than is usually possible in a College Prep
(CP) course. For this reason, Honors course grades are
“weighted” during the calculation of weighted GPA and
RIC by adding 10% to the final grade.
Honors course enrollment policies are as follows:
¤ ¤ New (entering) students should discuss with Student Services
the appropriateness of an Honors course in their Personal
Learning Plan.
¤ ¤ A student enrolled in an Honors course must achieve a final
grade of 80 or better in order to enroll in the next appropriate
Honors course in that department. (Exception: If the next
appropriate course is an Honors level course and no alternative
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 11

non-Honors course is available, a student may enroll in the Honors
course without having achieved a grade of 80 or better.)
¤ ¤ A student who earns a final grade of 90 in the second semester
of a college prep (CP) course may enroll in an Honors course in
the next appropriate course in that department if their average
in that course for the year is 87 or higher.
¤ ¤ A student who was eligible to take an Honors course, but who
began the year in a non-Honors course, may, during the first
semester and with the teacher’s recommendation and administrative
approval, move into the corresponding Honors course.
Withdrawing from GSA
Student Services should be informed when a student
intends to transfer to another school. A withdrawal
form must be signed by classroom teachers, the Librarian,
the advisor, Student Services, the Business Manager,
and the Director of Admissions. Student records will
be released only with parental permission.
Exams & Testing
Course Exams
Preparing for and taking exams during high school
is an important part of the educational experience at
GSA. All courses, whether semester or year-long, are
required to have a final exam, project, or culminating
experience as a way to assess a student’s understanding
of the course material. Final exams or projects
count for 20% of the final grade for both semester and
year-long courses.
Senior Exam Exemption Policy
Seniors who are ending year-long courses (not semester
courses) with an average of 90 or above are exempt
from taking a final exam. If, however, the final assessment
in a year-long course is an individual or group
project, or is an assignment that started prior to the
exam period itself, the exemption does not apply. Seniors
should check with their teachers to see if they are
eligible for this exemption.
Standardized Tests
All students should expect to take national standardized
tests —the PSAT and the SAT, for example—while
at GSA. Most colleges and universities require the SAT
or the ACT as a component in application materials. In
the fall of 10th and 11 th grades, all students are required
to take the PSAT, which is administered at GSA.
The PSAT is a practice (preliminary) test for the SAT’s
which all juniors are required (by Maine) to take in
May.
The SAT is one of two principal national tests used
as part of the college admission process, assessing a
student’s college readiness in critical reading, math,
and writing. The SAT is referred to as “reasoning” test,
which not only asks students to recall information, but
to apply reasoning skills in certain ways. GSA students
are encouraged to take the SAT at least twice, since
colleges look at a student’s best score. In place of the
SAT, the ACT is accepted by many colleges. The ACT
tests one’s reading, writing, math, and science abilities
and is an achievement test; it mirrors one’s high school
curriculum more closely than the SAT. We encourage
students to take the ACT after they have taken the SAT.
Both the SAT and the ACT are administered several
times a year, either at GSA or other area schools. A student
can choose to send either the SAT or ACT scores to
colleges.
Advanced Placement Exams
GSA offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and
exams in seven courses: English Literature, U.S. History,
Environmental Science, Statistics, Calculus AB/
BC, Human Geography, and Studio Art. AP exams are
administered at GSA in May. Students may sign up to
take AP exams at GSA in any of the twenty-six subject
areas, even when GSA does not offer an AP course in
the subject. (For example, a student could take the
AP Spanish test even though GSA does not offer an AP
Spanish course.)
All students who enroll in AP courses are required to
take the AP exam. Preparing for an external examination
is an important part of the AP course. At the
discretion of the teacher, students who choose not to
take the AP exam may be required to take a major cumulative
assessment at the time of the AP exam, take a
final exam during finals week (not required of students
who took the AP exam); or any other reasonable consequence
determined by the teacher. Portfolio-based AP
courses may have specific exam requirements.
Classroom Expectations
Academic Integrity
Each student’s education is the product of his or her
own effort and participation in the process of learning.
Therefore, it is a violation of school rules and personal
responsibility to submit work that is not one’s own
or to interfere with the participation of others in the
learning process. Two of the most serious forms of academic
dishonesty are cheating and plagiarism.
12 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Cheating
Cheating is an attempt to take credit for someone
else’s work. It includes the unapproved use of notes or
answers during tests; giving or receiving unauthorized
help on homework or other assignments; submitting
someone else’s work (paper, lab report or other assignment)
as if it were one’s own. Helping friends cheat is
also cheating. It is cheating to write friends’ papers for
them, do their assignments, or share test answers with
them. The consequences of helping others cheat are the
same as for cheaters themselves.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is making substantial use of someone else’s
words or ideas without acknowledging the true sources
by using proper citation. We misrepresent ourselves as
being the author of words or ideas when in fact we are
not. Plagiarism is intellectual deception. It is a form of
cheating, and it is as wrong as smuggling notes into an
exam or copying from someone else’s test. It is wrong
even if the author has given permission to use his or
her work without attribution.
It is important to learn the difference between appropriate
help and collaboration and the dishonest use of
others’ work. Students are encouraged to ask teachers
for help in learning proper citation practices.
The consequences of academic dishonesty at George
Stevens Academy are serious and may become a permanent
part of a student’s GSA record. When a student
is discovered to have cheated or plagiarized, the following
protocol will be followed:
¤ ¤ The Assistant Head of School will be notified.
¤ ¤ The teacher will make the first call to parents, notifying them of
the issue, with a follow up call from the Assistant Head of School
to arrange a meeting between the student, parents, teacher and
Assistant Head of School.
¤ ¤ The student who cheated or plagiarized will receive a zero on
the assignment or test.
¤ ¤ A record of the incident will be kept on file for future reference
and a copy will be sent to the Assistant Head of School and to
the student’s advisor.
¤ ¤ Repeated offenses will result in suspension and the student will
be placed on academic probation.
Attendance
The connection between school attendance and academic
achievement is simple: if you are not in school,
you cannot expect to learn. Every missed class is a
missed learning opportunity. High-achieving, successful
students rarely miss school; conversely, students
who are chronically absent, no matter the reason,
cannot expect to perform well in their classes and be
academically successful. Every student will occasionally
have a compelling reason for missing school or
for being late, but absence or tardiness should be the
exception, not the rule. All absences, no matter the reason,
weaken a student’s ability to do well in school.
We expect students to be at school, on time, every day,
unless there is a compelling reason for missing all or
part of a school day. “Compelling” reasons for missing
school include: illness, a medical appointment, a religious
holiday, or a family emergency. In the event that
a student must miss all or part of a school day, a parent
or guardian is expected to notify the Maine Office without
delay. Only a parent or guardian may authorize a
student’s early dismissal from school by telephoning
the Main Office.
Students who miss school for a compelling reason are
responsible for finding out what assignments or other
class work they have missed, and for making up that
work.
Loss of grade and/or credit due to chronic absences.
(Effective beginning September 2012)
Excessive absences in a single class have serious consequences.
• If a student misses four or more classes in any
course in either semester, the student and the student’s
parents will be notified by the school.
• A student who misses eight or more classes in any
course in either semester will not be eligible to
receive a grade higher than the minimum passing
grade of 70 in that course for that semester.
• A student who misses fifteen or more classes in
any course in either semester will not be eligible to
receive a grade higher than 60 in that course for
that semester.
Note, however, that absences that occur for any of the
following reasons will not count toward these totals:
illness documented by a health professional; medical
appointments; religious holidays when the observance
is required during the regular school day; family emergencies;
absences that are preexcused by the head of
school; and required attendance at a GSA-sponsored
activity.
“Family emergencies” are extraordinary, unexpected
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 13

events such as bereavement or the serious illness of a
family member. Discretionary events such as vacations
will not be treated as emergencies.
Students penalized under this rule will be given the
opportunity to demonstrate that some or all of the
absences fall under the categories listed above.
Lateness Policy
¤ ¤ First late: discussion with teacher
¤ ¤ Second late: discussion with the Assistant Head and possible
detention
Skipped classes policy
A student who skips one or more classes in a school day
will meet with the Assistant Head of School and can
expect the following consequences:
¤ ¤ First skipped class: Two detentions.
¤ ¤ Two skipped classes: One day of in-school suspension.
¤ ¤ Three skipped classes: Two days of in-school suspension and a
meeting with the parents.
¤ ¤ Four skipped classes: Three days of in-school suspension and a
meeting with parents.
¤ ¤ Skipping an entire school day: student and parents will meet
with the Head of School, Assistant Head, and Dean of Students
to determine next steps.
Homework
“Homework” refers to assignments that students work
on outside of class. Homework may be done at home
or elsewhere after school, or in school during study
halls, in the library, or during free time. In some cases
“homework” may mean making up class work a student
missed while absent.
Homework has several purposes:
¤ ¤ to encourage intellectual initiative and provide opportunities for
creativity;
¤ ¤ to reinforce skills and concepts introduced in a class;
¤ ¤ to introduce students to a new skill or concept before it is presented
in class;
¤ ¤ to extend a student’s knowledge of a subject through additional
reading and research.
¤ ¤ to prepare for a test, quiz, or other in-class assessment.
Doing homework conscientiously has added benefits
as well. Students develop habits of responsibility that
include
¤ ¤ holding themselves to high performance standards as they study
and learn independently;
¤ ¤ keeping track of assignments and due dates;
¤ ¤ managing their time in working on and completing assignments.
Teachers expect students to complete homework assignments,
and most teachers “count” homework as
part of a student’s quarterly grade. Teachers expect
students to complete homework on time.
¤ ¤ When their child cannot be in school, parents or guardians can
telephone the Main Office and arrange to pick up homework
assignments.
¤ ¤ Many teachers now post homework assignments on the GSA
website or on a “wiki,” making it easier to find out what a student
has missed.
How much homework should a student expect? This
will vary from student to student, and from class to
class.
¤ ¤ Students should expect to have some homework most nights for
most classes.
¤ ¤ Students in Honors and AP courses should expect demanding
assignments that require more time to complete than CP assignments
would.
¤ ¤ Some homework takes the form of projects that students have
several days or even weeks to complete, and students need to
plan their time accordingly.
Students are responsible for
¤ ¤ keeping track of what their teachers assign.
¤ ¤ completing assignments when they are due.
¤ ¤ finding out what homework they missed while absent; “being
absent” is a reason for finding out what one has missed; it is not
an excuse for coming to class unprepared.
¤ ¤ making up missed homework assignments.
¤ ¤ talking to teachers about missed work and ways to make it up.
Classroom Conduct
Student learning is greatly influenced by the classroom
environment. For that reason, positive classroom conduct
is expected of all students.
¤ ¤ Students should come prepared to learn every day and with all
class materials.
¤ ¤ Students should actively participate in classroom activities and
discussions.
¤ ¤ Students should not interfere with the learning of others.
¤ ¤ NO electronic technology may be used during class without
the teacher’s permission. This includes phones, iPods, and game
devices.
¤ ¤ Teachers should be addressed as Mr., Mrs., or Ms. unless they
explicitly request an alternative.
¤ ¤ Appropriate language is expected at all times: no profanity, obscene
gestures, or other disruptive behavior will be tolerated.
¤ ¤ Devious actions, deceptive words, omission of facts, forgeries,
plagiarism have no place in the classroom.
14 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

¤ ¤ Students may leave the classroom—one at a time —only with
the teacher’s permission.
Classroom Sign-out Procedure
The daily schedule includes a 10 minute break between
the first and second period of the day and a lunch break
after the third period of the day. The need for a student
to leave a class for food, drink, or to use the rest room
should be a rare occasion. (Of course, if a student is ill
or is called to the office, it is appropriate for a student
to sign out.) Students who absolutely must leave a
classroom should follow these rules:
¤ ¤ Ask the teacher for permission to leave the classroom. (Students
do not have an absolute right to leave the classroom; it is
a teacher’s call.)
¤ ¤ Only one student may be excused from a classroom at a time.
¤ ¤ Sign out in the classroom sign-out book legibly, marking the date
and time you leave and return.
¤ ¤ Use the nearest bathroom facility, and report directly back to
the classroom.
¤ ¤ Open and shut classroom doors quietly.
Academic Support
Advisor Program
Every student is assigned an advisor when enrolling at
GSA. Faculty members and some administrators serve
as advisors to 12 to 15 students to assist them in their
academic, social and emotional development. Advisors
meet with students each week and help with scheduling,
parent communication, and planning the academic
program. Strong student-teacher relationships are built
through the advisor system, which is coordinated by
the Dean of Students.
Personal Learning Plans (PLP)
A Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is an evolving “road
map” to assist each student in planning a course of
study with long and short-term goals over four years.
GSA graduation requirements establish standards that
each student needs to achieve to earn a GSA diploma.
The PLP is planned with the assistance of a student’s
parents, advisor and Student Services and incorporates
these requirements and personal preferences as a student
moves through GSA.
Family Connection and Naviance Succeed
Student Services uses the Family Connection website to
facilitate personal learning plans, course planning and
post-graduation planning. Family Connection is a comprehensive
website that helps in making plans about
courses, colleges and careers. In addition, collegebound
12th graders will use the site to submit college
applications. Family Connection is linked with Naviance
Succeed, a service that Student Services uses to
track and analyze data about college and career plans,
as well as to submit transcripts and recommendations
to colleges that students apply to.
Special Education Services
George Stevens Academy serves special education
students who can, with support, function and learn in
regular academic classes. These students have disabilities
identified by a Pupil Evaluation Team (PET)
consisting of parents, classroom teachers, our Special
Education teacher, the Assistant Head of School, and
the Special Education Director from the school union.
The PET team meets annually to develop or revise each
student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.
GSA strives to provide support for each student in
the least restrictive environment appropriate for that
student as required by special education regulations.
Our services include: direct English/Language Arts and
math instruction, guided resource room support, classroom
modifications, one-on-one support, standardized
test modifications, and parent/guardian involvement.
For further information on our special education services,
please contact Student Services.
ESL
GSA offers English as a Second Language (ESL) for
students whose first language is not English. The aim
of this program is to help students understand and
communicate in English, support them in their regular
content courses, and prepare them for the TOEFL.
International students, regardless of grade level, must
take designated English proficiency tests when they arrive
on campus. Based on the results of the those tests,
they will be placed in the appropriate ESL courses or
into mainstream English courses.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 15

Summer School—Credit Recovery
GSA offers summer make-up classes for English 9 and
English 10, Algebra I, Geometry, and others, depending
on need. These courses focus on essential core content
and skill development so that students who pass will, at
a minimum, be prepared to advance to the next level in
September. As a guideline, students who achieve a yearend
minimum average of 55% in these courses qualify
for summer make-up classes. Students bear the cost of
make-up courses.
Students who successfully make up a course during
summer school will receive a grade of 70 on their GSA
transcripts; the original failing grade will, however,
continue to be part of the official transcript and will be
included in the calculation of GPA and RIC.
Students whose year-end grade falls below this threshold
will probably need to repeat the entire course.
Students may, with permission from Student Services,
enroll in summer school programs at other schools for
courses GSA does not offer.
Independent Study & Internship Program (ISIP)
Independent Study and Internship Program (ISIP) is
a distinct part of the GSA experience and offers every
eligible junior and senior the opportunity to explore
an academic or vocational interest through a selfdesigned,
two- or three-week course of study. ISIP
encourages interdisciplinary skills and connected
knowledge as students investigate a specialized area of
interest with the assistance of an ISIP advisor and an
off-campus advisor (for off campus projects). A full description
of ISIP is given to students in the fall, and also
published on the website. Participation in ISIP requires
parent consent.
ISIP Eligibility
Students who are failing more than one course at the
end of the first semester (and are therefore on academic
probation during the second semester) will not
be permitted to participate in ISIP. Students who do not
participate in ISIP must continue to come to school and
to attend all regularly scheduled classes.
Arts Festival
For the past thirty years, GSA has celebrated its commitment
to the arts by hosting a week long “festival”
of arts activities in May. Organized by the Art Department,
artists from the Blue Hill peninsula and beyond
come to GSA to offer a wide variety of arts and crafts
workshops.
Study Hall
All students are assigned to a study hall period whenever
they are not scheduled for an academic class.
Study halls provide students with an opportunity to
work on class assignments, independent research, projects,
and recreational reading.
The intended purpose of study hall is academic more
than social, but group study and quiet conversation is
generally permitted. However, there are study halls
rules regarding excessive noise, food and drink consumption,
playing games, and inappropriate use of
technology, including cell phones, MP3 players, iPhones,
Kindles, BlackBerry smartphones, and the like.
Students with an appropriate pass may sign out of
study hall to go to a classroom, the library, the computer
lab, the gymnasium, the weight room, the band
room, or other on-campus locations. Students who
wish to go to the parking lot, to a residence hall, or to
an off-campus location must get permission from an
administrator and sign out from the office.
Student Services
Home to the Director of College and Vocational Counseling,
the Dean of Students, and the Registrar, Student
Services provides academic and social guidance and
expertise as a student progresses through the grades.
Student Services, in consultation with a student’s advisor,
helps students decide which classes to enroll in and
make adjustments in class schedules through the add/
drop process. Student Services also tracks each student’s
progress in meeting graduation requirements,
and tries to ensure that students are following an appropriate
course of study to best achieve their college
or work aspirations.
Student Services provides information about the following:
¤ ¤ Personal Learning Plans/Family Connection
¤ ¤ Career and vocational opportunities.
¤ ¤ American Field Study (AFS) and other alternative educational
and cultural opportunities.
¤ ¤ College search and application process.
¤ ¤ Standardized testing, such as the PSAT and the SAT.
¤ ¤ “Gap year” opportunities for students who wish to take a
planned year off before beginning college.
¤ ¤ Independent Study and Internship Program (ISIP).
16 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

¤ ¤ Summer School and other enrichment offerings.
¤ ¤ Work study and community partnerships for course credit.
¤ ¤ Alternative Course Contracts.
General Information
The school day is from 7:30 am until 4 pm. Classes begin
at 8 am and end at 2:30 pm. Students may not leave
campus during school hours without permission from
the Main Office. Parental permission is required in
order for the Maine Office to excuse a student.
All-School Meeting, Assemblies & Performances
All-school meeting, assemblies and performances are
part of GSA’s educational program. Attendance at the
weekly school meeting and other scheduled gatherings
is mandatory, and students are expected to behave in
a respectful and polite manner. No food or drink other
than water is permitted at any all-school meeting, assembly,
or performance unless it is part of the production
performance.
Announcements
General school announcements are kept to a minimum
when classes are in session, but are made at morning
break, before lunch, and at the end of the day. The Daily
Bulletin is accessible from the website and is read at
morning advisory. Parents may access the Daily Bulletin
through PowerSchool. The GSA website is also
updated regularly and posts announcements during
the week. Parent may also sign up to receive Friday
eNews by email.
Backpacks
Backpacks should not be left in school hallways unattended
during school because they obstruct traffic and
pose a hazard.
Building Hours
The Main Office is open during the school year from
7:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Students
who participate in afternoon extracurricular
activities must be under the supervision of a member
of the GSA staff. The school library is usually open to
students after the day’s last class from 3:00 P.M. until
5:00 P.M. (staffed by parent volunteers). Facility use is
coordinated through the Head of School’s office.
Bus Trips
Students must travel to all off-campus school activities
by bus except when an administrator has given prior
approval for alternative transportation. Students are
expected to return from school activities on the bus or
with a parent or guardian or faculty member. Any other
arrangements must be made with the Head of School’s
office prior to the activity. Guidelines and protocols for
bus trips also apply to all activities sponsored by the
International Student Program.
Cell Phone Technology
George Stevens Academy supports a learning environment
free from distractions and disruptions. Students
with cell phones or “smartphone” technology must
adhere to these guidelines during the school day:
¤ ¤ Using a cell phone of any kind, for any reason (including phone
calls, texting, web browsing, playing games, taking photos) is
prohibited during the school day except during morning break
and lunch period. During break and lunch, cell phone use is
restricted to corridors, hallways, the cafeteria, or authorized
outdoor locations.
¤ ¤ Cell phones and other electronic devices must be kept in backpacks
or lockers except when in use during authorized times.
¤ ¤ Cell phone ringers must be turned off at all times.
¤ ¤ Student use of cell phone technologies during participation in
field trips, school-sponsored class trips, athletic matches or other
extra-curricular activities will be at the discretion of the GSA
administration or supervising faculty member.
¤ ¤ For security and safety reasons, the Head of School will determine
all use of cell phone technologies during emergency or
crisis situations.
¤ ¤ Cell phone technology will be confiscated if used inappropriately
(1st offense – one day, 2nd offense – one day plus detention,
3rd offense – technology handed over to parents).
¤ ¤ Parents are reminded to contact the office if there is a need to
speak with a child during the regular school day. We will give the
message to the student as soon as possible or, in an emergency,
get the student from his or her class.
Closed Campus
GSA is a “closed campus” for all students except seniors
who have been granted “senior privilege.” All other
students are required to remain on campus during the
school day whether they are in class or not, unless they
have specific permission from a parent or guardian, as
well as from a school administrator, to leave campus.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 17

Even with permission, students must sign out in the
Main Office before leaving school.
Visitors
All visitors to GSA are required to sign in and out of the
Main Office, and may only be on school grounds with
administrative permission.
GSA students who wish to invite a student visitor (one
per semester) to spend a day or a portion of the day
with them at GSA must make arrangements at least
three days in advance of the planned visit by completing
a Student Visitor Permission Slip obtained from
the office. Students who are on suspension from other
schools may not visit. The Student Visitor Permission
Slip includes:
¤ ¤ Written permission from the parent/guardian to host a student.
¤ ¤ Written permission from each teacher of classes to be visited.
¤ ¤ The visiting student name, written permission from his or her
parent or guardian, home phone number, and the reason for the
visit.
Permission to Leave Campus
Permission to leave campus may be given in one of
three ways. Parents may send a note to the school,
speak with someone in the Main Office, or come to the
Main Office to have a student dismissed. Students may
not call parents to ask to be dismissed and then sign
out of school without Main Office staff or administrator
making contact with a parent. Only legal guardians or
emergency contact designates may dismiss a student
from school.
Merrill & Hinckley
Students may go to Merrill & Hinckley for snacks or
for lunch during designated break and lunch periods.
Students may not go to Merrill & Hinckley at any other
time during school hours. Violations will result in detention.
Dormitories
The dormitories are closed to ALL students during
school hours (usually 8:00 A.M. until 2:35 P.M.). Dorm
residents who need to return to a dorm during the
school day must receive permission from the Main Office
and from the Dorm Parent on duty or the Director
of Residential Life.
The Blue Hill Public Library
The Blue Hill Library is available to students during
study halls or class time with teacher permission. Students
must have a parent’s permission to leave campus,
and must sign in and out in the Main Office.
Crisis Response Plan
The school has a Crisis Response Plan. This document
is updated annually and is on file in the Main Office.
Emergencies & Illness
All accidents or serious illness should be reported
immediately to the administrative office. Any time a
student is sick and cannot continue to attend class, the
student should report to the nurse’s office or to the administrative
office. No student will be sent home unless
parental or guardian permission has been obtained. In
an emergency, students will be transported to the hospital
without a parent or guardian’s permission. A parent
or guardian or other person designated on the GSA
Emergency Card will be notified as soon as possible.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FER-
PA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law
that protects the privacy of student education records.
The law applies to all schools that receive funds under
an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FER-
PA) affords parents and students over 18 years of age
(“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the
student’s education records. These rights are:
1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education
records within 45 days of the day the School receives
a request for access. Parents or eligible students
should submit to the School principal [or appropriate
school official] a written request that identifies the
record(s) they wish to inspect. The School official will
make arrangements for access and notify the parent or
eligible student of the time and place where the records
may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s
education records that the parent or eligible
student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents
or eligible students may ask the School to amend a record
that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They
18 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

should write the School principal [or appropriate official],
clearly identify the part of the record they want
changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.
If the School decides not to amend the record as
requested by the parent or eligible student, the School
will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision
and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding
the request for amendment. Additional information
regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to
the parent or eligible student when notified of the right
to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally
identifiable information contained in the student’s
education records, except to the extent that FERPA
authorizes disclosure without con-sent. One exception,
which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure
to school officials with legitimate educational
interests. A school official is a person employed by the
School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or
support staff member (including health or medical staff
and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving
on the School Board; a person or company with whom
the School has contracted to perform a special task
(such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or
therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official
committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee,
or assisting another school official in performing
his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate
educational interest if the official needs to review an
education record in order to fulfill his or her professional
responsibility. [Optional] Upon request, the
School discloses education records without consent to
officials of another school district in which a student
seeks or intends to enroll.
[NOTE: FERPA requires a school to make a reasonable
attempt to notify the parent or eligible student of the records
request unless it states in its annual notification that it intends to
forward records on request.]
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department
of Education concerning alleged failures by the
School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The
name and address of the Office that administers FERPA
are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5901
Fire Drills
Fire drills are required by law and are an important
safety precaution. It is essential that, when the first
signal is given, everyone responds promptly and clears
the building, as directed, until the signal is given to
return.
Food & Drinks
No soft drinks or “energy drinks” (such as Red Bull,
Extreme, etc.) will be allowed on campus during school
hours (7:30 A.M. until 4:00 P.M.). Other drinks are permitted
but must be in the smallest packaging available.
Food and drinks such as juice and water may be
brought from home, or purchased in the cafeteria or at
Merrill & Hinckley during lunch or break. Students may
eat only in designated areas: the cafeteria or directly
outside the cafeteria, including the trophy area and
down the senior corridor. Food is not allowed in the
other academic buildings unless specific teacher permission
is given. Students are responsible for cleaning
up after themselves when they are finished eating.
Fundraising
GSA depends on fundraising efforts such as Annual
Giving to support our unusually rich array of programs
and activities. Student and parent fundraising efforts
(such as bottle drives and bake sales) on behalf of
clubs, sports, the Rec Center, and special events, do not
require special administrative approval. However, any
fundraising initiative that involves asking for money,
or for significant material donations from people in the
community, must be coordinated through Rada Starkey,
Director of Development.
Internet & Computer Technology Use
The GSA campus supports a wireless Internet network
for use by students, faculty, and staff. The school also
has many desktop and laptop computers for educational
use by students. Personal computers must be
registered with the school in order to join the school’s
network. Students who use their personal computers
at school are expected to follow all rules regarding appropriate
technology use.
Internet access through GSA’s network is a privilege.
Students who abuse the privilege risk losing it. All
Internet and computer technology use at GSA must be
consistent with and in support of the school’s educational
objectives. This includes desktop computers, lap
tops, notebooks, netbooks, cell phones, and “personal
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 19

digital assistants” or other cellular devices, including
iPods, iPhones, BlackBerry smartphones and the like.
The policy applies to both school-owned as well as
personal computers or other devices that access the
school’s wireless or landline Internet network.
For specific expectations regarding appropriate and
inappropriate use of the Internet and other technologies,
see Section III of this Handbook.
Students are expected to sign GSA’s Technology Acceptable
Use Form. Failure to follow its rules can result
in being denied the opportunity to use the school’s
computers, access the school network with a personal
computer, and may incur disciplinary action ranging
from detention to expulsion.
Locker Rooms
Students may receive locks for gym lockers at the beginning
of Physical Education classes or at the beginning
of a sport season. Belongings are to be placed and
locked in an assigned locker. Students may not use
their own locks; they will be removed and discarded.
Students should not enter the locker room in between
classes for any reason. The school is not responsible
for lost or stolen property anywhere, including in the
locker room.
Library
The library collection includes 14,000 books, magazines,
DVDs, videotapes, and CD-ROMs. Desktop and
laptop computers are available with Internet access.
Interlibrary loan available. There are no fines charged
for overdue books, but replacement costs will be assessed
for lost books. Most items are available for loan
for three week periods, with renewals available as long
as there is no hold on the item.
The library is open from 7:45 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. most
school days. Parent volunteers usually keep the library
open until 5 P.M. Monday through Thursday. Classes
that use the library with teachers as a part of class
work have priority over other use. Students may study
in the library during study hall with specific permission.
Students may also go to the Blue Hill Public
Library during the school day with parental permission.
Students must sign out in the Main Office before
leaving and on returning from the Public Library.
Medical Health Insurance
Students have an opportunity to purchase school
medical/health insurance with a broad coverage and
at a very small cost. School medical health insurance
or its equivalent insurance is mandatory for participation
on an athletic team. All residential students must
have health insurance either by private arrangement,
through the educational consultant, or through GSA.
Medication
A parent or guardian must complete GSA’s medical
form and notify the school when a student needs to
take medication during the school day.
Prescription medication to be used by students during
the school day must be brought to the Main Office
at the start of the school day. Students may bring
to school only enough medication to meet his or her
needs during the school day for one week at a time.
A signature by the prescribing health care provider
is required for long-term medications and for any
non-prescription medications. All medication should
arrive at school in the original prescription container.
Short-term medications contained in a prescription
container do not require the prescribing health care
provider’s signature.
Over-the-counter medication should be brought to the
nurse’s office with a parent’s note explaining when it
should be taken, the time frame for taking the medication,
and the proper dosage. Note: Individuals with
asthma may carry inhalers. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
is available at the nurse’s office or in the Main Office if
parental permission to dispense is noted on the student’s
emergency contact form.
Parent Association
The Parent Association focuses on providing parent
support to the school and school functions, for example,
by finding chaperones for events, staffing the
library for after-school study hours, hosting international
students, assisting in back-to-school nights, and
helping with mailings. Meetings are held monthly.
Parking Lot & Vehicles
George Stevens Academy recognizes the need for defined
and secure parking spaces for its students, staff,
volunteers, and visitors. The following rules must be
observed:
20 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

¤ ¤ Parking facilities at GSA are for the use of GSA students, staff,
volunteers, and authorized visitors only. During the school day,
students must park in the student parking lot, not behind the
gymnasium.
¤ ¤ The GSA Board of Trustees grants the administration the authority
to deny the use of parking facilities to any individual.
¤ ¤ All student vehicles must be registered with the administrative
office.
¤ ¤ Courtesy and safety must be maintained at all times. Illegal or
unsafe driving practices (for example, speeding, “burning” tires,
carrying passengers without seat belts, carrying passengers in
the back of pick-up trucks) are prohibited.
¤ ¤ Irresponsible behavior with an automobile by any student will
result in losing the privilege of using the school parking lot.
¤ ¤ Once students arrive at school and vehicles are parked, they
may not return to their cars during the school day without written
permission from the administrative office.
¤ ¤ All school rules concerning possession of illegal or inappropriate
materials including drugs, weapons, firearms, and other prohibited
items apply to vehicles parked on school property. The
administration may search student vehicles parked on school
premises at any time for the purpose of enforcing school rules.
¤ ¤ The school parking lot may be used between 8 P.M. and 6 A.M.
for school activities only.
Residential Program rules prohibit the use of any
motorized vehicle by residential students, except in the
course of a licensed and bonded driver education class
or driving examination through the Maine Bureau of
Motor Vehicles for the purpose of obtaining a license.
Residential students may not take part in such a class
until their second semester at GSA and then only with
the written permission of their natural parents, host
parents (if any), and the Director of Residential Life.
Students who violate this policy may be expelled from
GSA.
Pets
Pets may not be brought to school without explicit administrative
permission.
Publicity
George Stevens Academy collects photographs of and
stories about students engaged in school activities for
use in print and electronic publications, including the
school website, GSA Matters, and brochures. Photographs
of students are often included in press releases
to local papers announcing events, awards, accomplishments,
and other school-related activities (and, of
course, local newspapers often take their own photographs
at GSA events, e.g. sports games and music
competitions).
GSA never publishes a student’s private telephone
number or e-mail address or provides details about
a student’s daily schedule. Parents who would prefer
that their child’s photograph not appear on our website
should contact the Director of Communications in writing
at the beginning of the school year.
School Closings
In case of severe weather or other emergencies, the official
announcement for school closings will be posted
on GSA’s website or may be heard on WABI, WDEA,
WQCB, WWFX, WWMJ, and WZON.
School-Sponsored Trips
School-sponsored trips enrich and enhance the classroom
curriculum. All school trips must be approved
by the administration. Students on school trips should
understand that all school rules and regulations apply
while they are on the trip. Students who miss other
classes in order to participate in a school trip are responsible
for completing all work missed during their
absence. Students must have a signed permission slip
on record and use transportation provided by GSA.
Senior Privilege
Senior privilege is granted by the Head of School each
year, and is not effective until that announcement is
made.
Seniors who maintain an average of 70 or better in all
classes, and who have the last period(s) or the first
period(s) of the day in study hall, may be allowed to go
home or to work with written permission from parents
or guardians. Students must attend all required activities:
advisor meetings, school meetings, and special
programs. Seniors must always sign in and out at the
Main Office when arriving to or leaving school early.
Seniors who are residential students may enjoy senior
privilege; however, the dorms will remain closed and
are not be available during regular school hours.
Student Council
Student Council plays an important role in the life
and vitality of GSA. With two faculty advisors, student
representatives from each grade level (5 per grade)
are elected by their classmates to represent their
class in a variety of ways. Typically, student council
members are called upon to discuss student concerns,
plan activities, and serve as ambassadors for GSA at
Open Houses and other public events. Juniors who
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 21

are elected to the Student Council serve through their
senior year. The President of the Student Council runs
the school’s weekly school meeting.
Student Records
The school maintains official records for each student.
Transcripts are released only with authorized permission.
Students and parents should refer to the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) on page 18
for further details regarding personal school records.
Grades and course information from a website should
not be used in place of an official transcript. An official
GSA transcript may be obtained only through Student
Services.
Textbooks & Return Policy
Textbooks do not belong to students; they are loaned
to students for use in classes. Students are expected
to keep textbooks clean, unmarked, and covered. The
market replacement cost for a lost or badly damaged
textbook will be charged to a student’s family through
the Business Office. Bills must be paid by the last day of
school. Seniors must have all materials returned before
graduation.
Campus Conduct
Assault & Battery
Threatening physical harm (assault) and doing deliberate
physical harm (battery) are unacceptable
behaviors. A student who assaults or commits battery
on another student, or on any person while on school
property or during school events, will be suspended
from school and may face expulsion.
Appropriate Attire
George Stevens Academy expects students to dress
modestly and appropriately. Clothing should be clean
and mended. Clothing may not bear advertisements for
alcohol, tobacco products, or drugs, or display sexually
suggestive material or profanity, or contain any other
messages inappropriate in a school setting. Sunglasses
may not be worn indoors during the school day.
Generally, dress that attracts negative or undue attention,
or exposes the body in an inappropriate manner,
or infringes upon the values of other individuals is
not acceptable. Underwear should not be visible. Hats
should not be worn at assemblies, and may be worn in
classrooms only with the permission of the teacher.
Students who are inappropriately dressed will be
asked to change clothes, or may be sent home from
school.
Damage to School Property & Vandalism
The willful or careless destruction or damage of school
property, including graffiti, or any intentional act that
results in damage to school property, is prohibited.
Students are responsible for repairing or replacing any
property they have damaged or destroyed, and may
be assessed reasonable costs. Students will also face
disciplinary action from detention through suspension.
The school may also notify law enforcement agencies of
property damage or vandalism.
22 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Detention
Detention is part of GSA’s discipline program. Detentions
usually occur after school, but may also be assigned
during lunch or as work-service detentions
during study hall. Detentions may be assigned by classroom
teachers to be served with them in their classroom,
or by the administration at a designated location
with a specific teacher. Parents will be given 24 hours
notification for all after-school detentions. It is the
responsibility of the student to coordinate transportation
home from a detention. Failure to have adequate
transportation home does NOT excuse the student
from detention. Students who are assigned detention
by the administration or a teacher must observe the
following guidelines:
General detention begins at 2: 45 P.M. and ends at 3: 45
P.M. and consists of supervised study hall or activity.
¤ ¤ Students must arrive before 2:45 P.M. Students who are late for
detention will make up the time at the next scheduled detention.
¤ ¤ Students must come prepared with academic work or reading
material.
¤ ¤ Students in detention may be asked by the supervising faculty
member to do some jobs such as straightening classrooms or
the library.
¤ ¤ Students must not leave the detention room once they arrive.
¤ ¤ Students are not allowed to use iPods, tape players, CD players,
cell phones, or other forms of entertainment while in detention.
Lap tops or netbooks are permitted for academic work only.
¤ ¤ Students are expected to be quiet and not converse with other
students during detention.
Displays of Intimacy
Public displays of intimacy such as kissing and/or
intimate touching are not appropriate in a school setting
and will not be condoned on school premises or
at school functions. Students in violation may receive
disciplinary action including notification of parents or
guardians, detention, or, in extreme or repeated cases,
suspension.
Drugs & Alcohol Policy
George Stevens Academy encourages all students to develop
safe, healthy behaviors. We know that drug and
alcohol abuse by adolescents creates or exacerbates a
whole host of behavioral, cognitive and developmental
problems that directly and indirectly affect a student’s
ability to perform well in school. We therefore prohibit
recreational drug and alcohol use, not only because
it is illegal, but because it is unsafe and unhealthy for
teenagers.
Rule 1: Violations During the School Day, On School
Grounds, or at a School Activity
Using, selling, possessing, giving away, or smelling of
alcohol or drugs, or possessing drug paraphernalia, at
any school activity, event, or function, whether on campus
or off campus, is prohibited and is a major violation
of school rules.
First Violation of Rule 1
Students who violate Rule 1 for the first time face the
following consequences:
¤ ¤ the sale or distribution of drugs in any form may result in expulsion;
¤ ¤ a minimum 5-day suspension from GSA, with homework and
assignments provided;
¤ ¤ required participation in a school-sponsored or GSA-approved
Drug & Alcohol assessment program.
Students and parents will be asked to sign a waiver
allowing the agency conducting the assessment to communicate
with the administration the results of the assessment
and any further issues involving attendance
requirements and compliance imposed by GSA.
In the event that a Drug & Alcohol assessment determines
the need for further assessment or counseling,
the parents or guardian and the student will meet with
the Headmaster to plan for Drug & Alcohol counseling
services. If the student stops counseling services
prematurely, the Headmaster, student, and at least one
parent must meet to discuss continued enrollment at
GSA.
Second Violation of Rule 1
Students who violate Rule 1 for a second time may face
expulsion.
Rule 2: The Extra-curricular penalty
It is a privilege, not a right, for students to participate
in an extra-curricular activity in which students represent
or are associated with the school in any public
forum outside the traditional school day. Students
who are enrolled at GSA and who participate in extracurricular
activities, clubs, or teams including (but
not limited to) athletic teams, music groups, theatre
groups, Model U.N., Chess Team, Student Council, NHS,
and the like, may not ILLEGALLY use, buy, sell, possess,
or give away alcohol or drugs at any time.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 23

First Violation of Rule 2
Students involved in an extra-curricular activity, and
who violate Rule 2 for a first time must participate in a
GSA-approved Drug & Alcohol Assessment Program.
¤ ¤ Students involved in activities that have regular practice sessions
will not be allowed to perform or compete until they have completed
two assessment sessions. Students will be permitted to
fully participate in practices and rehearsals during that time.
¤ ¤ Students involved in non-practice activities will not be allowed
to attend meetings or events until they have completed two
assessment sessions.
¤ ¤ Students who fail to schedule two Drug & Alcohol assessment
sessions, or who miss any scheduled session, will not be allowed
to play or to practice until they complete both sessions.
¤ ¤ Students and parents will be asked to sign a waiver allowing the
agency conducting the assessment to communicate with the administration
the results of the assessment and any further issues
involving attendance requirements and compliance imposed by
GSA. Failure to sign a waiver will result in a student’s inability to
participate in extra-curricular activities until the waiver is signed.
¤ ¤ Students who do not participate in a GSA-approved Drug &
Alcohol Awareness Program will be suspended from all participation
in extra-curricular activities INCLUDING practices and
rehearsals.
¤ ¤ In the event that a Drug & Alcohol assessment determines the
need for further assessment or counseling, the parents or guardian
and the student will meet with the Headmaster to plan for
Drug & Alcohol counseling.
¤ ¤ If the student stops a scheduled course of counseling short
of its scheduled conclusion, he or she will not be allowed to
participate in any extra-curricular activities until the counseling is
completed.
¤ ¤ Students who have violated Rule 2 but who are not currently
participating in an extra-curricular activity will be required to
schedule and begin attending a Drug & Alcohol assessment program
prior to participating in any future extra-curricular activity.
privileges as described in Rule 2 (in the case of a non-schoolsponsored
event).
¤ ¤ Students who are found to be “in the presence of” these
prohibited activities are also subject to required Drug & Alcohol
assessment and/or counseling sessions based upon the recommendations
from the Drug & Alcohol assessment.
¤ ¤ Students who find themselves at an event or in a situation in
which there is any illegal use, selling, buying, or giving away of
alcohol or drugs should find a safe way to leave immediately. Doing
so may mitigate the consequences they face.
Time Frames for Violations
If, following a first violation of any rule, two full years
elapse without another violation of any rule, any subsequent
violation will be treated as a first violation.
Hoax Fire Alarms & Bomb Threats
Threatening the safety of students and faculty at GSA
is a major violation of school policy. Making hoax fire
alarms, or writing notes threatening the detonation of
devices is prohibited. Each event will be investigated
and may be reported to the appropriate law-enforcement
agency. Disciplinary action may include suspension
or expulsion.
Fighting
Fighting or causing a fight on school property, while in
attendance at school or at any school sponsored activity,
or at any time or place so as to interfere with the
operations, discipline or general welfare of the school
is a major violation of school policy. Disciplinary action
may include suspension or expulsion.
Second Violation of Rule 2
Students who are involved in an extra-curricular activity
and who violate Rule 2 for a second time will not be
allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities
for a full calendar year.
Rule 3: “In the Presence Of”—The Company We Keep
Students who knowingly participate in activities,
events, or functions at which others are illegally using,
selling, buying, or giving away alcohol and/or drugs
will be viewed as supporting and enabling prohibited
behavior, and as such may be subject to the same penalties
and consequences as if they were themselves using,
selling, buying, or giving away alcohol and/or drugs.
¤ ¤ Students who violate Rule 3 by being “in the presence of” these
prohibited activities risk suspension as described in Rule 1 (in
the case of school-sponsored event) or losing extracurricular
Harassment & Bullying
George Stevens Academy recognizes the right of each
person to live and work in an environment that is free
of intimidation, ridicule, hostility, and offensiveness.
Students should not harass or bully other students
or faculty. Harassment includes, but is not limited to,
abuse based upon race, gender, sexual orientation,
religion, age, national origin, or physical or mental disabilities.
Disciplinary action may include suspension or
expulsion.
Harassment and bullying are determined more by the
perception of the victim than by the intent of the person
accused of harassing. It is important that all students
treat each other and the faculty with respect and
dignity. GSA does not tolerate harassment or bullying,
whether written, spoken, or drawn. Electronic harassment
or bullying (“cyberbullying”) is just as unacceptable,
and will incur the same disciplinary responses.
24 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Harassment and bullying behaviors can include some
or all of the following:
¤ ¤ Unwelcome sexual advances, gestures, comments, or contact.
¤ ¤ Threats of physical harm are inappropriate in a school setting.
¤ ¤ Offensive jokes.
¤ ¤ Ridicule, slurs, and derogatory actions or remarks.
¤ ¤ Inappropriate text messages or Internet postings.
It is important to let a person know that his or her behavior
is unwelcome, offensive, in poor taste, or highly
inappropriate. A student who feels uncomfortable confronting
someone should speak with a teacher, advisor,
or administrator.
Students who believe they are victims of harassment
should report occurrences to a school administrator.
The school official will advise the alleging victim of
the various options available, which can include school
intervention and disciplinary action or the notification
to appropriate law-enforcement agencies.
Making a deliberately false accusation of harassment
will be treated as harassment.
Lighters, Matches & Arson
Students are not allowed to possess any type of lighter
or matches at school for safety reasons. A student
found in possession of a lighter or matches will have
the item(s) confiscated. Parents will be notified and the
student will face disciplinary action ranging from detention
to in-school suspension. The use of a lighter or
matches will result in suspension from school. Setting
a fire on school grounds or at a school activity is arson
and a crime, and will be reported to a law-enforcement
agency.
Appropriate Use of Internet & Technology
Computers, the Internet and other technologies can be
important learning tools. Student access to and use of
technology is a privilege and is limited to educational
use during the school day and on the school network.
The use of any electronic device, website, or application
for purposes other than learning may result in suspended
access to the school network and computers.
The use of GSA’s network is not private. School administrators
may examine computer files and hard drives
of any computer or other device on campus premises
capable of accessing the school’s landline or wireless
networks. Administrators will cooperate in providing
information and device access to law enforcement
authorities when appropriate.
GSA uses filters to block access to websites that are
inappropriate for student use. Filters are not always
100% effective. Students are urged to inform a teacher
immediately if they access material that appears dangerous,
inappropriate, or makes them uncomfortable.
Any attempt to bypass filters is prohibited and students
are subject to disciplinary actions ranging from
detention to suspension.
Students should be aware that sharing personal information
over the Internet can be dangerous. They
should respect and protect both their own privacy and
the privacy of others.
In classrooms and other teaching settings, no form
of electronic communication may be used without a
supervising teacher’s permission.
Cyberbullying, cybercheating, libelous postings, or
copyright infringement, whether done on a school computer
or a personal computer used at school, will result
in disciplinary action ranging from detention through
suspension. Criminal activity may involve the appropriate
law-enforcement agency.
“Cyberbullying” & Electronic Libel
Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment conducted
electronically, for example, through e-mail or social
network websites such as Facebook and MySpace. Posting
to, creating, or joining social networking groups to
facilitate cyber bullying is a serious violation of school
policy. Students who participate in cyberbullying are
subject to disciplinary action ranging from detention to
expulsion.
Posting comments to, or forming, social networks that
seek to demean or damage the reputation and image
of the school, its faculty, staff, or school designees, or
that negatively affects school climate, and/or disrupts
school is also a violation of acceptable computer use
subject to disciplinary action, even if the activity took
place off campus or outside the school day on a private
network.
Students should understand that libel (writing falsehoods abou
persons) is not protected speech, and is, in fact, a crime.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 25

“Cybercheating”
Cybercheating, copyright infringement, plagiarism,
hacking, and unauthorized access to any school computer
or information system is prohibited. Criminal
activity may result in a report to the appropriate lawenforcement
agency.
Students are expected to follow procedures and guidelines
that are issued to protect the security of the GSA
computer system and to respect its resource limits. In
particular, computers and related devices brought in
by students must be updated with security patches and
virus protection. Students may be asked to limit internet
usage during times of limited available bandwidth.
When using or accessing the school’s computers:
¤ ¤ No student will deliberately or willfully cause damage to computer
equipment or software or assist others in so doing.
¤ ¤ No student will deliberately access inappropriate materials or
show others how to do so.
¤ ¤ No student will attempt to bypass the system’s content filters.
¤ ¤ Each student will respect the rights of others to store files on a
computer or a disk and will not attempt to view, alter, or damage
those files without the owner’s permission.
¤ ¤ Each student will respect and uphold copyright laws.
¤ ¤ Each student will follow any other regulations posted in the computer
lab or other room where computers are in use.
¤ ¤ Each student will follow the directions of the person in charge of
the computer lab or other room where computers are in use.
¤ ¤ The network administrator or school administrator has the right
to inspect any and all files stored on school-owned equipment
or on personal student equipment if there is reasonable cause
to do so.
Personal Property
Students are responsible for their personal property
while at school. Students are discouraged from bringing
large amounts of cash or valuable items to school.
If it is necessary to bring cash or personal property of
value to school, these should be kept locked in a locker
or brought to the Main Office for safekeeping.
Backpacks should not be left unattended during the
school day, and they should not be left where they obstruct
traffic or hinder normal activity or maintenance.
Searches
A school administrator who has reason to suspect that
a student is in possession of, or under the influence of,
an illegal substance or tobacco product, object, or any
other prohibited item on school property, may conduct
a legal search of bookbags, bags, wallets, lockers, jackets,
dorm rooms, or vehicles parked on school property.
Students may be asked to empty their pockets and
remove their shoes to show reasonable evidence that
they are not in possession of any illegal or prohibited
items. These searches may be done without prior parental
notification or consent; however, parents will be
notified after a search is conducted. Refusal to comply
with a search will be grounds for suspension. Any prohibited
or illegal items found will be confiscated and
may be reported to the appropriate law-enforcement
agency.
Skateboarding
George Stevens Academy seeks to maintain a safe and
orderly school environment. While skateboarding is
recognized as a recreational activity, skateboarders
must follow these rules:
¤ ¤ Skateboarding is only allowed during designated times (morning
break, lunch) and only when there is supervision.
¤ ¤ Skateboarding near classrooms while school is in session
is prohibited.
¤ ¤ Skateboarders MUST wear securely fastened helmets at
all times.
¤ ¤ Authorized skateboarding areas must be cleaned and maintained
by participants. These areas are designated by the administration
and may be closed at any time.
¤ ¤ The use of railings, stairways, tables or other apparatus is prohibited.
¤ ¤ Skateboarders must assume responsibility for having control
over their skateboard at all times. Extreme caution is expected
in the proximity of bystanders and pedestrians.
¤ ¤ Skateboarders will be liable for damage or injury.
¤ ¤ Skateboarding inside any GSA building is prohibited.
Skipping Class(es)
Skipping class is a serious violation of school rules.
Students skip class when they are in any location other
than their assigned classroom without teacher or administrative
permission. A student who skips class (or
school) will meet with the Assistant Head of School or a
member of the administrative team and should expect
a detention(s) or suspension, depending on their previous
attendance record. See page 14 for details.
Smoking & Tobacco Use
GSA is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not allowed
on campus at any time by anyone. Under Maine law,
possession, use, or distribution of tobacco products by
anyone under eighteen years of age is illegal. A student
caught smoking or in possession of tobacco products
on school property, during school hours, or at schoolsponsored
activities will be suspended from school
for three days and, if under eighteen, the appropriate
26 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

law-enforcement agency may be notified. In addition,
the student will be referred to a smoking cessation
program.
Snowballs
Throwing snowballs (or any object that can cause injury)
is prohibited.
Stealing
Stealing is a major offense. A student who is caught
stealing will be suspended. Parents will be notified and
the appropriate law enforcement authority may also
be notified. Repeated stealing may result in expulsion
from the school.
Suspension
There are two types of suspensions: out-of-school and
in-school.
Out-of-School Suspension
¤ ¤ A student receiving out-of-school suspension will be notified by
the Head of School or his designate, and a parent or guardian
will be called to pick up the student.
¤ ¤ A formal written notice will be mailed to the parent or guardian,
and to the superintendent of the school from their sending
town, explaining the reasons for the suspension and the terms of
the suspension.
¤ ¤ During suspension, the student may not be on school property,
and is ineligible to participate in all extracurricular activities.
¤ ¤ Assignments will be provided by teachers during this time and
may be picked up in the Main Office.
¤ ¤ Before returning to school, the student and a parent or guardian
will make an appointment with the Head of School to review the
conditions under which the student will be able to return.
¤ ¤ In certain instances, a disciplinary contract between George Stevens
Academy and the student will be requested by the school
and signed by all parties.
Students and parents should be aware that a disciplinary
suspension becomes a permanent part of a student’s GSA
record, and that most colleges require us to report and explain
a student’s out-of-school suspension as part of the college application
process.
parent or guardian may be asked to make an appointment with
the Head of School to review the student’s behavior and to plan
appropriate remediation.
¤ ¤ In certain instances, a disciplinary contract between George Stevens
Academy and the student will be requested by the school
and signed by all parties.
Weapons, Theft, and Violence
¤ ¤ Possession or use of items commonly used or designed to inflict
bodily harm, or to threaten, intimidate, coerce or harass another
person, is prohibited. Examples of such items include, but are
not limited to firearms, BB guns, pellet guns, airsoft guns, or any
other kind of gun, ammunition, explosives, cross-bows, brass
knuckles, switchblades, knives, chains, clubs, Kung Fu stars and
nun chucks.
¤ ¤ Use of any object to inflict bodily harm or to threaten, intimidate,
coerce or harass another person is not allowed. Examples
of such items include but are not limited to bats, belts, picks,
pencils, compasses, objects capable of ignition (e.g. matches,
lighters), files, tools of any sort and replicas of weapons (including
toys).
¤ ¤ Violent or threatening behaviors, including but not limited to
fighting, assault, battery, taking hostages, threats to commit
violence against persons or property (e.g. oral or written death
threats), threats of bodily harm, or bomb threats, are not tolerated
by GSA.
¤ ¤ Oral or written statements (including those made electronically)
which threaten, intimidate, or harass others, or which intend to
incite violence or disrupt the school program, are prohibited.
¤ ¤ Willful and malicious damage to school or personal property is
prohibited.
¤ ¤ Stealing or attempting to steal school or personal property is
prohibited.
¤ ¤ Lewd, indecent or obscene acts or expressions of any kind are
prohibited
¤ ¤ Violations of state and federal laws, and any other conduct that
may harm persons or property violate school policy, and/or
bringing of firearms to school, will be reported to the appropriate
law-enforcement agency
¤ ¤ The Head of School may request a psychological evaluation
of any student who seems to pose a risk to school safety. All
evaluations will be conducted by a licensed professional and
performed at the school’s expense. Refusal to comply with this
request invites the Head of School to draw inferences from the
student’s behavior concerning the risk that is posed for purposes
of determining appropriate disciplinary action, including suspension
or expulsion.
In-School Suspension
¤ ¤ A student who receives in-school suspension will be notified by
the Head of School or his designate, and a parent or guardian
will be notified.
¤ ¤ A written notice will be mailed to the parent or guardian
explaining the reasons for the suspension and the term of the
suspension.
¤ ¤ Before the end of the suspension period, the student and a
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 27

Interscholastic Sports
Athletics Policies
& Expectations
GSA offers a rich array of competitive sports at both
the varsity and junior varsity levels. Students should
understand that like all extra-curricular programs,
participation in GSA athletics is a privilege, not a right,
and a student may lose that privilege by failing to abide
by the policies and expectations outlined in this Handbook,
including all rules about drug and alcohol use,
tobacco use, and academic probation. Student athletes
who are boarding students (whether they reside in a
GSA dormitory or in a home-stay) are also expected
to abide by all residential life rules and policies. Student
athletes (and their parents) should understand
that breaking school rules or failing to meet academic
requirements can directly affect a student’s athletic
eligibility.
Goals of GSA’s Athletic Program
A properly controlled, well-organized sports program
supports students’ self-expression, mental alertness,
and physical growth, and nurtures and reinforces their
personal integrity and sense of fair play. The rules and
guidelines in this section of the Handbook are designed
to promote a full range of qualities in our student athletes,
not only their athletic prowess and talents, but
the character and conduct that are the hallmarks of a
true champion.
¤ ¤ We encourage our athletes’ competitive spirit, but always balanced
with a sense of fairness, good sportsmanship, a desire to
improve, and an ability to enjoy the game.
¤ ¤ We remind our athletes that their high visibility in the community
invites others—particularly younger students—to look up
to them as role models, and they will try to emulate not only our
students’ athletic accomplishments, but their overall behavior.
¤ ¤ The GSA student athlete bears a responsibility not only to his or
her teammates, but to the school’s reputation as well as to his or
her own reputation.
We offer twelve interscholastic sports: Baseball, Softball,
Girls and Boys Basketball, Cheerleading, Girls and
Boys Cross Country, Girls and Boys Golf, Girls and Boys
Outdoor Track, Girls and Boys Sailing, Girls and Boys
Soccer, Girls and Boys Tennis, Girls and Boys Wrestling,
and Swimming. Athletes may participate in only one
interscholastic sport at a time.
As well as the policies and rules that apply to all GSA
students, there are policies, rules, and expectations
that pertain specifically to students who are participating
in an intersholastic sport, as follows:
Dropping or Transferring Sports
Students who are selected as squad members or managers
of an athletic team will be considered members
of the team through the end of that regular sports season,
unless they are removed for disciplinary reasons,
academic ineligibility, or through mutual agreement
between player and coach. All squad members who
complete the season will participate in Athletic Awards
Night. While there is no place in athletics for quitters,
there are occasionally good reasons why an athlete
will need to drop a sport, or transfer from one sport to
another. In such cases, the student should discuss the
situation with his or her immediate coach, then with
the head coach, and then with the Athletic Director.
Students who must drop a sport, or students who are
removed from a team, must return all equipment to the
coach without delay.
Equipment
School athletic equipment checked out by the student
athlete is his or her responsibility. Athletes are expected
to keep all equipment clean and in good condition.
It is the athlete’s responsibility to pay for lost or carelessly
damaged equipment.
Missing Practice
Athletes are expected to attend all practices and
games, and missing practices or games without a
coach’s permission will be dealt with by the coach. In
case of sudden illness or other emergency, the athlete
or the athlete’s parents should notify the coach as soon
as possible.
28 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Sports Travel
Student athletes must travel to “away functions” on the
school activity bus. Students may return home with a
parent, guardian, or teacher only if the coach has been
notified in writing at the game or meet. Exceptions to
this policy may be made only by the Head of School,
the Assistant Head of School, or the Athletic Director.
Athletes must remain with their team and under the
supervision of a coach when attending away contests.
Note that all rules about school bus behavior contained
in this Handbook pertain to student athletes, including
rules about food, noise, remaining in seats, and care
and respect for equipment. Student athletes who are
traveling to an away function should dress appropriately
and in good taste (no jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers).
College Recruitment
A student athlete who is contacted directly by a college
recruiter has an obligation to work through his or her
GSA coach and the Athletic Department. Inform your
coach of such a contact as soon as possible. College
recruitment information is in the Athletic Office.
Conflicts with Other Extra-Curricular Activities
Students who participate in extra-curricular activities
will occasionally face a conflict of obligations. GSA’s
Athletic Department realizes that every student should
have the opportunity for a broad range of experiences
in the area of extra-curricular activities, and therefore
we do our best to schedule athletic events to minimize
these conflicts. Students also have a responsibility to
try to foresee and avoid continual conflicts, which includes
limiting activities to prevent inevitable conflicts.
Students are also responsible for notifying extra-curricular
faculty advisors immediately when a conflict
does arise. Advisors will try to work out a solution so
the student does not feel caught in the middle. If a solution
cannot be found, then the Head of School will have
to make the decision about how to resolve the conflict.
A student athlete will not be penalized for acting on
this decision.
Absence from School
A student athlete who is absent from school, either for
all or any part of a day, may not participate in the next
game or practice without a written explanation from
a parent or physician, as well as the full support of the
Head of School or Assistant Head of School.
Suspension
Student-athletes who are suspended from school,
including “in-school suspension,” will not be allowed to
practice or participate in athletics during the period of
suspension.
Athletic Eligibility Requirements
¤ ¤ Age — An athlete must be under age 20 at the time of participation.
¤ ¤ Parent permission form — An athlete’s parental permission
form must be current, signed, and on file in the Athletic Office.
¤ ¤ Physical Examination — An athlete must have passed a current
year physical exam and the exam record must be on file in the
Athletic Office.
¤ ¤ Emergency medical form — An athlete’s emergency medical
form must be current, signed, and on file in the Athletic Office.
¤ ¤ Academic standing — An athlete must meet all academic eligibility
requirements in order participate in sports. These requirements
are exactly the same as for all students who participate in
extra-curricular activities
¤ ¤ Mandatory pre-season meeting — An athlete must attend the
mandatory pre-season meeting in order to participate in a sport.
Eliminating (Cutting) Student Athletes from Teams
Currently, in eight of our sports, student athletes are
not eliminated based on specific numbers of participants:
Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Cross
Country, Boys and Girls Indoor Track, Boys and Girls
Outdoor Track, Boys and Girls Sailing, Boys and Girls
Tennis, Boys and Girls Golf, and Girls and Boys Wrestling.
(It may at some future point may become necessary
to limit the number of participants on each team.)
This means that every student who meets eligibility
criteria (see above) and who tries out, automatically
becomes a member of one of these teams. (But automatic
membership does not alter the obligation of all
athletes to follow general training rules and specific
rules for that sport prescribed by the coaching staff.)
In the four remaining sports, student athletes can be
eliminated or denied the privilege of participation
because the sport prescribes a specific number that
may participate: Boys and Girls Basketball, Baseball,
Softball, and Cheerleading. The number in each sport
is prescribed by the coach of that team, with the help
of the head coach in that sport, based on many criteria.
Among the criteria used to determine the size of the
team are: the talent and work ethic of the students trying
out; the number of students trying out; the optimum
number determined by coach to conduct productive
practices and insure adequate substitutes.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 29

Our coaches realize that as difficult it is for them to
cut a student, it is much more difficult on the student
athletes. We expect coaches to use the opportunity to
let these students know that we understand their disappointment,
that this is not a personal decision, and
that we are supporting them in the future. We ask our
coaches to put themselves in the place of the athlete.
Coaches are expected to be especially reluctant to
eliminate a senior who has been loyal to the program.
Coaches are encouraged to involve the parents to help
defuse problems that are involved in the “cutting” of
student athletes.
Coaches follow these guidelines when eliminating (cutting)
student athletes from specific teams.
¤ ¤ Before the first day of tryouts the coach will provide in writing
a list of criteria that student athletes will be judged on, for
example, “The student must be able to make lay-ups with either
hand.”
¤ ¤ Tryouts must last at least three full practice sessions and the
student will be informed of the length of that tryout period in
advance.
¤ ¤ Cut lists should not to be used. Student-athletes should be told
by the coach, with as much empathy as possible, the reasons
why he or she was eliminated. If large numbers of student are
being cut, a group meeting may be arranged, but only with the
approval and oversight of the Athletic Director.
Varsity Letter Requirements
Criteria for earning a letter will be given to each athlete
by his or her coach at the preseason meeting.
Risk of Participation
Athletes and their parents should understand the risk
of serious injury resulting from athletic participation.
George Stevens Academy takes the following precautions
to reduce or eliminate injury:
¤ ¤ We conduct a mandatory parent/athlete meeting prior to the
start of the season to fully explain the athletic policies and to advise,
caution and warn parents/athletes of the potential for injury.
¤ ¤ We require coaches to keep up-to-date on techniques and skills
to be taught in their sport.
¤ ¤ We teach all student athletes about the dangers associated with
a particular sport.
Parent-Coach Communications
The success of our athletics program depends in large
measure on the support of our athlete’s parents and
guardians, and their support, in turn, often depends on
good communications with the student’s coaches. We
offer the following guidelines for parent-coach communications:
You should expect your child’s coach(es) to keep you informed
about:
¤ ¤ the time and place of practices, matches, and games.
¤ ¤ the coach’s philosophy.
¤ ¤ what the coach expects of his players, and of your child in
particular.
¤ ¤ participation requirements, including fees, special equipment,
and off-season conditioning.
¤ ¤ any injury your child suffers while participating.
¤ ¤ any discipline your child receives.
You are encouraged to talk to your child’s coach(es) about:
¤ ¤ the treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
¤ ¤ your child’s skill improvement and development.
¤ ¤ concerns about your child’s behavior.
You should avoid questioning your child’s coach(es) about:
¤ ¤ playing time.
¤ ¤ team strategy.
¤ ¤ play calling.
¤ ¤ other student athletes.
Coaches expect you as parents to:
¤ ¤ Notify the coach of schedule conflicts well in advance.
¤ ¤ Support the program!
¤ ¤ Ensure your child attends all practices on time.
¤ ¤ Support your child in being well-prepared for games and matche;
encourage your child to eat well and get enough sleep before a
game.
After speaking with a coach, if you still have concerns, you
should:
¤ ¤ Speak directly with Jim Murphy, Athletic Director, at extension
122.
¤ ¤ The Athletic Director may then arrange a meeting with the
coach to resolve the issue.
¤ ¤ The Athletic Director will work with you and the coach to find a
resolution to issues and concerns.
Summary of Athletic Awards
¤ ¤ 9th Grade Team Member Award — Participation Certificate
¤ ¤ First Junior Varsity Award — Numerals and Certificate
¤ ¤ Second Junior Varsity Award — Certificate
¤ ¤ *First Varsity Letter Award — Letter and/or Certificate
¤ ¤ Second Varsity Letter Award — Certificate and Pin or Letter
¤ ¤ Third Varsity Letter Award — Certificate and Pin
¤ ¤ Fourth Varsity Letter Award — Certificate and Pin
*Only one chenille letter is received by an athlete. All
other letters earned are recognized by certificate or
pin.
30 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Season Ticket Prices
Children who are not yet in first grade may attend GSA
athletic events at no charge.
Adults: $4.00
Students: $2.00
Senior Citizens: $2.00
Boys and Girls Basketball Season Ticket Prices
Adults: $32.00
Students: $16.00
Family: $84.00
Senior Citizens: $16.00
Combination Boys & Girls
Adults: $64.00
Students: $32.00
Family: $140.00
Senior Citizens: $30.00
Penobscot Valley Conference Schools
George Stevens Academy is a member of the Penobscot
Valley Conference, a conference rich in academic as well
as athletic achievement. The following schools are PVC
members:
Bangor Christian
Bangor High School
Brewer High School
Bucksport High School
Caribou High School
Central High School
Deer Isle-Stonington HS
Dexter High School
Ellsworth High School
Fort Kent High School
Foxcroft Academy
George Stevens Academy
Hampden Academy
Hermon High School
Houlton High School
John Bapst High School
Katahdin High School
Lee Academy
Mattanawcook Academy
Mount Desert Island High School
Old Town High School
Orono High School
Penobscot Valley High School
Penquis High School
Piscataquis Community High School
Presque Isle High School
Schenck High School
Searsport High School
Stearns High School
Sumner High School
Washington Academy
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 31

ing their assigned chores within the allotted time
period. Students are expected to keep their rooms,
bathrooms, common areas, and other areas of the
residence hall neat and clean.
Quiet Hours
Dormitory Policies for
All GSA Students
GSA’s Residential Student Program is designed
around the ideals and mission of the school as a
whole. Guidelines within the Residence Halls are created
to foster an environment of academic success,
as well as social responsibility to oneself and others.
As GSA students, all residents of the dormitories are
expected to adhere to all the rules and standards
that are stated in this Handbook.
Day students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged
to participate in events sponsored by the Residential
Student Program. These events and activities
will be overseen using the same regulations as any
other school activity.
Residence Halls
Students should have regard for both the spirit and
the letter of Residence Hall regulations designed to
maintain the quiet conditions essential for study and
sleep.
Residence Hall Care
Common spaces are for everyone’s use and enjoyment,
and students must clean up after themselves
when using them. When a student leaves a common
room, the room should look the way it did when the
student arrived. Students must throw away their
trash, put away food and utensils, clean food spills,
wash their dishes, and take their personal belongings
with them.
Students are also responsible for the general upkeep
and cleaning of common spaces. The Dorm Parent
will create a chore list that will be posted in the common
room; students will be responsible for complet-
Residence Halls house many people in a relatively
small space. It is important that students treat one
another with respect and courtesy. Quiet hours are
a time every night and during exam periods when
residents are expected to keep noise to a minimum.
Music may be played and the television in the common
room may be watched, but the sound must be
confined to the room the student is in—if sound
can be heard from the room next door, it is too loud.
Roommates will decide together what an appropriate
level of sound is during Quiet Hours.
Quiet hours are as follows:
¤ ¤ Sunday night through Friday morning: 7:00 P.M. until 8:00
A.M.
¤ ¤ Friday night through Sunday morning: 10:00 P.M. until 10:00
A.M.
Even outside of prescribed Quiet Hours, students
need to show courtesy and respect for one another—
if a student asks you to turn down your music, or the
television, or to lower your voice, you should do your
best to comply.
Visitors in Residence Halls
Students are encouraged to invite guests to visit in
the Residence Hall, but are responsible for the behavior
and actions of their guests, and for following
Hall policies regarding visitors.
¤ ¤ All non-residential visitors must sign the Student Log, or
inform the Dorm Parent or person on duty, upon arrival
and departure. Visitors must also write in the name of the
resident he/she is visiting. Visitors will be admitted at the
discretion of the residence hall staff.
¤ ¤ No visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in a residential
student’s room at any time. This will be considered a serious
offense. Visitors of the opposite sex are permitted in the
common areas only.
When there is no dorm parent or other designated
staff person on duty, guests are not permitted in
the Residence Hall. This includes dinner and study
hall hours. Guests are not permitted in the Residence
Hall without a student host, and the host must
32 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

emain with their guest at all times. Any residential
student wishing to bring a guest to dinner must get
permission from the Dorm Parent or person on duty a
full day in advance.
Students who will be away for more than two hours,
or who are going to leave Blue Hill must speak to the
Dorm Parent to get permission before leaving.
Students who intend to miss dinner must speak to the
person on duty as soon as possible.
Students who decide after signing out that they wish
to go to another destination, must either return to the
Residence Hall to sign out again, or inform the person
on duty by telephone of their new plans.
At 10:00 P.M. (or 11:30 P.M. on Fridays and Saturdays)
the alarm on all outside Residence Hall doors will be
activated. Students who are late will face disciplinary
action.
Curfew for any GSA student staying at the dorms will
follow sign out and sign in hours. Visiting students
must obtain permission from the Dorm Parent in advance
if they are planning to stay in the Residence Hall
overnight.
Signing Out & In
Students wishing to leave the Residence Hall must sign
out in the Student Log or inform the Dorm Parent or
person on duty. Students need not sign out when they
are going to class or when they leave the building with
the dorm parent, but every other absence from the
building must be recorded in the book or told directly
to the person on duty, including extracurricular activities
such as clubs and sports. Students may only leave
the Residence Hall during the following designated
sign-out hours unless alternative arrangements have
been made with the dorm parents:
Mondays:
Tuesdays:
2:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Wednesdays: 2:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Thursdays:
Fridays:
Saturdays:
Sundays:
2:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M. – 11:30 P.M.
7:00 A.M. – 11:30 P.M.
7:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Invitations to Dorm Students
Families or students wishing to invite dorm residents
on outings or to their homes should contact either the
Dorm Parents or the Director of Residential Life for the
most current procedures to follow.
Students should not have guests for dinner on a regular
basis.
Common Room
The Residence Hall Common Room is an area for all
boarding students and their guests to enjoy. Please
show respect for your schoolmates and for the room
itself.
¤ ¤ Respect others who are using the Common Room. Do not
disturb those doing school work. Maintain the TV and music
volumes at respectful levels.
¤ ¤ Don’t make others feel left out—use English to communicate
with others when in multicultural settings.
¤ ¤ Use the Common Room for quiet indoor activities. Physical
activities and sports can be done on the lawn, athletic fields, or
in the gym.
¤ ¤ Affectionate behavior should be refined. Holding hands and sitting
side by side is acceptable. Sitting on laps, kissing, or assuming
prone positions are not.
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 33

34 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Index
Absence from School ...........................29
Academic Integrity ............................12
Academic Probation ...........................9
Academic Support .............................15
Accelerated Graduation ........................9
Admissions .................................... 6
Advanced Placement Exams ....................12
Advisor Program ..............................15
A GSA Education ..............................7
All-School Meeting .............................17
Alternative Course Contracts (ACC) .............11
Announcements ...............................17
Appropriate Attire .............................22
Appropriate Use of Internet & Technology .......25
Arts Festival ..................................16
Assault & Battery ..............................22
Assistant Head of School ....................... 5
Athletic Director ..............................5
Athletic Eligibility Requirements ...............29
Athletics ...................................... 6
Attendance .................................... 6
Attendance ...................................13
Attendance and Main Office ....................5
Backpacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Basketball Season Ticket Prices .................31
Building Hours ................................17
Business Manager .............................5
Bus Trips ......................................17
Cell Phone Technology .........................17
Cheating ......................................13
Classroom Conduct ............................14
Classroom Expectations ........................12
Classroom Sign-out Procedure ..................15
College Recruitment ...........................29
College & Vocational Counseling ................6
Combination Boys & Girls ...................... 31
Common Room ................................33
Conflicts with Extra-Curricular Activities .......29
Contact Information ...........................5
Cooperative & Alternative Education ...........6
Course & Credit Requirements .................7
Course Exams .................................12
Course Registration ............................11
Crisis Response Plan ...........................18
“Cyberbullying” & Electronic Libel ..............25
“Cybercheating” ...............................26
Damage to School Property & Vandalism ........22
Dean of International Relations .................5
Director of Annual Giving ......................5
Director of College & Vocational Counseling .....5
Director of Development .......................5
Director of Maintenance ........................5
Director of Publications & Communications .....5
Director of Residential Life .....................5
Discipline .....................................6
Displays of Intimacy ...........................23
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 35

Dormitories ...................................18
Dropping or Transferring Sports ................28
Drugs & Alcohol Policy .........................23
Eliminating (Cutting) Athletes from Teams ......29
Email .........................................5
Emergencies & Illness ..........................18
Equipment ....................................28
ESL ...........................................15
Exams & Testing ...............................12
Executive Assistant to the Head of School .......5
Extracurricular Eligibility & Ineligibility ........10
Facilities Use .................................6
Family Connection and Naviance Succeed ........15
FERPA ........................................18
Fighting .......................................24
Fire Drills .....................................19
Food & Drinks ................................19
Friday eBulletin ...............................5
Fundraising ...................................19
Fundraising & Development ....................6
Goals of GSA’s Athletic Program ................28
Grade Point Average & Rank in Class ............9
Grades ........................................9
Grades Online .................................10
Grades & Performance Standards ...............9
Graduation Honor Parts ........................9
GSA’s Website .................................6
Harassment & Bullying ........................24
Head of School ................................. 5
Hoax Fire Alarms & Bomb Threats ..............24
Home School Courses ..........................8
Homework ....................................14
Honor Roll ....................................9
Honors Courses ................................11
Independent Study ............................6
Independent Study ............................16
In-School Suspension ..........................27
Internet & Computer Technology Use ............19
Interscholastic Sports ..........................28
Invitations to Dorm Students ...................33
ISIP Eligibility .................................16
Lateness Policy ................................14
Library .......................................20
Lighters, Matches & Arson ......................25
Locker Rooms .................................20
Loss of grade and/or credit due to absences. ....13
Maine Learning Results (MLR) .................10
Manifesto for Student Success . . . . . . . . . inside cover
Medication ....................................20
Medicl Insurance ..............................20
Merrill & Hinckley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Missing Practice ...............................28
No Internet Access? ........................... 6
Nurse .........................................5
Out-of-School Suspension .......................27
Parent Association .............................20
Parent-Coach Communications ..................30
Parking Lot & Vehicles .........................20
Penobscot Valley Conference Schools ...........31
Permission to Leave Campus ...................18
Personal Learning Plans (PLP)..................15
Personal Property .............................26
Pets ..........................................21
Plagiarism ....................................13
Publicity ......................................21
Quiet Hours ...................................32
36 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

Report Cards ..................................10
Residence Hall Care ............................32
Residence Halls ................................32
Residential Life ...............................7
Risk of Athletic Participation ...................30
School Closings ................................21
School-Sponsored Trips ........................21
Searches ......................................26
Season Ticket Prices ...........................31
Senior Exam Exemption Policy ..................12
Senior Mid-Year Course Withdrawal .............11
Senior Privilege ...............................21
Signing Out & In ...............................33
Skipped Classes Policy .........................14
Skipping Class(es) .............................26
Smoking & Tobacco Use ........................26
Snowballs .....................................27
Special Course Options .........................7
Special Education ..............................5
Special Education .............................7
Special Education Services .....................15
Sports Travel ..................................29
Standardized Tests ............................12
Stealing .......................................27
Student Council ................................21
Student Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Student Services ..............................16
Study Hall .....................................16
Summary of Athletic Awards ...................30
Summer School—Credit Recovery ...............16
Suspension ....................................27
Technology ....................................5
Telephone & Fax ............................... 5
Textbooks & Return Policy .....................22
The Blue Hill Public Library ....................18
The GSA Diploma ..............................7
The Parent Association ........................6
Time Frames for Violations ....................24
Transfer Requirements .........................8
Varsity Letter Requirements ...................30
Visitors .......................................18
Volunteering ..................................7
Weapons, Theft, and Violence ...................27
Website, Publications & Communications .......7
Weighted Grades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Withdrawing from a Class ......................11
Withdrawing from GSA ........................12
GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 37

38 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13

GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13 39

40 GSA Student-Parent Handbook 2012-13